The University of Bahrain’s collaboration at CERN: active partnerships for real-world impact
In its collaborative projects at CERN, the University of Bahrain’s researchers are active participants in a mutually beneficial exchange
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In 2008, with the first test operation of the Large Hadron Collider, the world’s largest and most powerful particle accelerator, CERN, the intergovernmental organisation where it is based, suddenly gained mainstream attention. In the years that followed, CERN has continued to pioneer cutting-edge research, collaborating with higher education institutions around the world. The University of Bahrain (UoB) is one such institution.
“My primary research focuses on optimising software for high-performance computing, particularly for accelerators used in CERN’s scientific endeavours,” explains Abdulla Ebrahim Subah, assistant professor in the Computer Science Department at UoB. “By making our code more efficient, we significantly reduce the time and energy required to process vast amounts of data. What once took a day can now be completed in a fraction of that time.”
Some of the collaborative work being carried out by UoB and CERN may initially seem only likely to benefit the high-level technical work being undertaken at the facility. However, even the most complex projects can have real-world, global impact further down the line.
“My work at CERN, as part of the CMS Phase 2 project, involves specialised mechanical engineering, designing and setting up an emergency CO2 exhaust system for the detectors,” says Ahmed Ata, a mechanical engineer at CERN and UoB teaching assistant. “This is a unique application specific to CERN’s demanding environment, requiring bespoke equipment and components. However, my experience, while tailored to CERN, provides a robust foundation in high-precision mechanical design and engineering that is likely to inform future projects.”
UoB strongly supports researchers participating in cross-disciplinary, cross-border projects like those at CERN. The UoB administration provides full backing and encouragement to participants in collaborative projects with other organisations.
“UoB’s support extends to facilitating broad student participation,” notes Zouhir Bahri, associate professor and head of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at UoB. “We currently have several students at CERN, with three more joining soon. This is a direct result of the concerted efforts of the UOB leadership. Currently, the joint projects at CERN are among our most active research initiatives.”
“Initially, navigating the administrative complexities of such a large-scale international collaboration was challenging as I was the first master’s student from UoB at CERN,” says Subah. “However, UoB demonstrated welcome flexibility, adapting rules and processes for funding and sponsorships. As a result, future students embarking on this journey will have a smoother administrative experience.”
This journey promises to deliver a multitude of benefits for UoB and CERN alike. For UoB, the collaboration has enabled the university to access cutting-edge facilities like the Lumi supercomputer in Finland, which would otherwise remain out of reach for its researchers.
“For my research in software optimisation, access to diverse and powerful hardware architectures is essential,” explains Subah. “If UoB were to pursue this research independently, we would be severely limited by the hardware we could acquire. Sharing resources with other organisations allows us to conduct research that would otherwise be impossible, significantly broadening the scope and impact of our work.”
To ensure the greatest benefit is achieved from UoB’s collaborative projects at CERN, the university’s researchers take an active role in any partnership, pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery and translating their knowledge into tangible, real-world impact.
“Collaborating with strong research centres and industry leaders provides invaluable support and expertise,” says Zouhir. “It’s a mutually beneficial relationship. While universities gain access to advanced facilities and diverse perspectives, CERN also benefits significantly from the contributions of our university researchers. They are not merely observers. They are expected to contribute and add value to the complex projects they undertake.”